Smallsword and Scabbard Presented to Captain Alexander Cochrane

Among the many enameled gold or silver-gilt presentation swords awarded by the British government and civic bodies during the Napoleonic Wars, the smallsword presented to Captain Alexander Cochrane (1758–1832) in 1795 stands out for its unusual form and imaginative decoration. The majority of examples are of traditional smallsword type, in which the knuckle-guard and rear quillon are set over the double-shell guard and separated from it by the arms of the hilt (as seen, for example, on the contemporary British smallsword of Thomas Le Marchant Gosselin in this exhibition, acc. no. 2018.856.16a–c). The hilt of Cochrane’s sword, on the other hand, resembles the British infantry officers’ sword adopted in 1788 and made a regulation pattern in 1796, which had a studier and more compact form characterized by a double shell to which two symmetrical quillons are directly attached. While smallsword pommels of this period were typically oval in shape, that of Cochrane’s sword is unique in its globular form, which is encircled by a continuous band of enamel depicting the signs of the zodiac. The sword is further personalized with a representation in painted enamel on the upper side of the inner shell guard of the naval engagement in 1795 for which Cochrane was awarded the sword, and with an engraved inscription on the underside of the shell guard: "Presented by the Committee for encouraging the Capture of French Privateers, Armed Vessels & To the Honorable Captian Cochrane of his Majesty’s Ship Thetis in Testimony of the high sense this Committee entertain of his meritorious conduct in the Gallant Action on the 17th May 1795 off the Coast of America when assisted by Captain Beresford of his Majesty’s Ship Hussar, He engaged five French Ships of War three of which struck their Colours and two of them were taken possession of and carried into Halifax, London July 16th 1795."

The holdings of the Department of Arms and Armor include three fine examples of British presentation swords with enameled decoration (acc. nos. 26.145.315a, b; 42.50.35a, b; 42.50.36a–l), all by the London goldsmith James Morisset, who specialized in enameled swords and snuff boxes, but these are of conventional smallsword type. The acquisition of the Cochrane sword adds an example that is unusual, highly inventive, and exquisitely executed, both complementing and expanding the existing collection.